A Month For Relationships

It's August, our last official month of summer. John and Ella got in 200 head of small feeder calves to custom feed for three months. Great-Grandpa Ferguson, who built the barn, would approve.

August is often a month to clean out bins, preparing for the crop in the field. Jim has been hauling corn for Bill and Mark. August is also a month to get trucks ready for hopefully a busy fall.

August is a month when fertilizer and seed prices come out for next crop year. That means  a conversation with input suppliers. It might mean a conversation with one's banker. Is the 2025 crop in the bin sold? Is the 2026 crop in the field sold? When planning, what will 2027 look like?

As a landlord, August is a month when one looks at their farm and determines whether he or she is happy with their renter. As a renter, one is asking himself if he is doing his best to keep his landlord not only satisfied but thankful for the owner/renter relationship. It is also a month when the tenant needs to evaluate the lease, input costs, and markets, to make sure there is a potential for some profit.

Summer harvest is more than sweetcorn and green beans. There is also tomatoes, cucumbers (pickles) onions, potatoes, apples, cherries, berries, and peaches. When the weather cools Jan sometimes plants fall peas.

Hopefully August can be a slower month. For family and friends. Jan is digging potatoes for friends from town to take home and enjoy.

August can be a month when one thanks their extended business family and customers for their relationships and business. Last evening Jan and I went to one of our rented farms, sat in the driveway, and watched fireworks that Co-Line Manufacturing put on after their extended families company picnic. This coming week we will be getting ready for our 38th annual Appreciation Supper coming Wednesday, August 12.

While cleaning drawers and shelves in my office, I found this 1943 Souvenir Booklet of Osky1 CRC church. The church was started by Dutch immigrants in 1903 with 6 families. 40 years later it was recognizing God's faithfulness during the middle of World War II. Osky1 had 19 boys in the military then. There were 561 professing and baptized members in the church directory on the back pages of this booklet. 

Joining Osky1 CRC this morning are 3 grandchildren, Adi and Natalie (pictured), and their cousin Elijah. They are telling our church, our community, and our world they have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. God is indeed faithful. Thanks for the picture BJ.